[D8 - LN] Damn good niguiri (Expecting/Open)

[Asahina Sanaharu]

So he took half a cup with Yuuwaku. Then half another cup on another table. Then two sips at numerous more as he socialized and made sure no one would fly fists with anyone else. Then more time playing for smaller groups at a time. Sometimes the Crab found it fun to serve him shochu. Some hours on that, and Sanaharu was not on his best state. Not a wreck, but somewhat tipsy. Sanaharu was a man of good behavior, of course.

And nothing could be more interesting right now to a Crane seated alone in willing self-isolation than that small bow of nigiri. So much time without eating. Thanks to the Fortunes.

Not very sleepy, however. If he didn't know how to stay up and motivated an entire party, he wouldn't serve a court.

That was some really good niguiri.

He looks up from his bowl a moment to see Masao and calls him.

[Kakita Masao]

The nikutai is there, having disappeared for a time without anyone caring enough about him to worry. As he approaches Sanaharu, he can see the Asahina is more affected at this party than he's used to seeing. Not that they'd attended many parties together, though.

"Asahina-san," Masao says warmly. "It's a lovely party, no?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, lovely it is indeed, this day has been shining and resplendent. Have you eaten your portion of rice today, Masao-ue?" He bows seated. You are only supposed to meet someone like this the first time you meet them in a day, you know. "It's good to see you again."

[Kakita Masao]

"And good to see you, Asahina-san. I'm glad you're enjoying the party. We seem to have successfully gotten through this wedding," he says with a smile -- maybe wider than it should be. "Ah, knocking on wood," he adds, tapping lightly on the table to ward against misfortune. Still, as he looks around the courtyard, it's clear that most of the guests have found other places to finish their partying or have already retired for the night. By comparison to those remaining, Masao seems almost fully refreshed.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I don't know why everyone, apparently, outside Asahina lands, keeps knocking on woods, honestly. It just disturbs the earth kami at best. They like to be quiet, you know. It's part of the importance of the permanence of stone gardens." He replies, taking another bite of rice from the small bow. "I'm glad to see you are well too, Masao-ue. You were near me a lot of times, though I don't think you noticed that. Then there was a moment you just disappeared."

[Kakita Masao]

"Hai, we are good protectors of the peace, Asahina-san. I'm sure my father would appreciate our efforts to ensure the wedding succeeded." Masao keeps watching the crowd, though there's little reason at this hour.

As he reaches to claim an abandoned cup that's still half full, he seems quite proud for a man who just days ago felt many uncertainties. Perhaps a mission accomplished was what the soldier had needed.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I hope that the Kuni can heal Kitora-sama. On the subject of making your father happy, you know. I said I would give my aid when called in return, but I think they would have forgotten it by the time they would really need a Kakita orator. The worst that can happen is just another week here. Not a gaudy thing to do."
He looks at Masao taking the cup, but says nothing.

[Kakita Masao]

"It will be good to leave this place. I'm glad all has turned out as well as it has, but it is also important to get home. Check on Kitora. See... See what comes next." He empties the cup in one go, then makes a slightly bitter face.

"Clearly with the empress' travel, we won't be sailing all the way home, which does not disturb me in the slightest."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Ah. I was looking forward to suggesting to you where to travel earlier, just forgot that. Basically, we could go by land until Mura Sabiishi Toshi and take a fleet from there to Cold Wind City. In the way, we probably would travel alongside Yuu-senpai and Toritaka-san, as we would pass near Falcon Lands in the way. Perhaps Kakita-bugyo as well."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao smiles at the Asahina. "An excellent suggestion, Asahina-san. Clearly the right choice."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Knew you would love it. I think, actually, everyone loves it." He puts the half-empty bow back in the table.

[Kakita Masao]

The Kakita looks at his friend, who's clearly farther gone at this time of night and this much drink than Masao can recall.

"Love, Asahina-san? I do not often hear such language from you." It's a friendly comment, not showing any particular concern given the circumstances.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, so finally someone came to me to inquire about it. I have been trying my best but this court has been too concerned with other activities to notice. My fear is that I went so overboard that not even Doji-sama wants to talk about it."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao, as Sanaharu is used to seeing, looks confused.

"Asahina-san," he says, sitting closer to the artisan and lowering his volume as an example to him. Masao verifies that there are no curious ears close enough to hear them, but he continues in the quieter voice anyway: "I think you should start at the beginning of this story, for I do not know what you're speaking of, that you might have overdone?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Sanaharu sees the confusion on Masao's face and understands it. "Oh, so you don't think that I did. Thank you, Masao-ue. Although you being you, it's likely that it's tremendously obvious anyway. But it's not like it matters. I think it just matters to you, actually. Not even that Scorpion matters anymore."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao's face is shifting from confusion to humor now, as he guesses the artisan is either really drunk or playing a joke on him.

"Alright, Asahina-san. I'm glad that... whatever you were worried about doesn't matter. I'm sure everything will look just fine in the morning..."

The soldier makes sure no more drinks are within Sanaharu's reach. He looks at the taller but thinner man to appraise how challenging it will be to get him back to the house.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"What? Of course it matters." His expression turns rather quickly to offended. "You are a nikutai, but I'm no soldier. This is something I would only allow Kakita-dono to ask of me. In the contrary, I could well say to Kuni-sama that although I thank her for her disposition, we will have no need for a healer to come along us."

For his writer to be honest, Sanaharu weighs less than one Yuuwaku, which should insight how lightweight he is.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao shakes his head, chuckling lightly, "Ah, Asahina-san, my apologies. I misheard your wise words. As you well know this one sometimes does..."

Masao puts his empty cup down and rises.

"Let us find our way back to the house. A duty well done here today and in recent days," he congratulates. "Is Asahina-san ready to stretch his noble legs?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"This one is the most pleased to hear so, Masao-ue." He gets up with a quick bow, side-eyeing longly for a moment to the half-bow he left behind, but ultimately looking straight into Masao's eyes. "Let's go."

At least he remembered the direction, or so it seemed.

"Thank you for escorting me to the flower field earlier."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao nods agreeably, shepherding his friend toward the house without being too invasive.

"Yes, with your fox friend. You're welcome. He seemed... like a spirit," was the most insightful thing Masao had to say, at least by the latter part of the night.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I think I'm bringing Doji-kun to Asahina Shinden. It's not evil, it knows how to be courtly and polite, and I think he would appreciate being near the Golden Fields of Amaterasu and shugenja. It's a rather... Peaceful... Place as well. No bushi near. In the middle of nature."

[Kakita Masao]

"Wait, you're," again, the vigilant soldier checks for eavesdroppers. "You're taking a spirit to your homeland?" Masao's voice is a strong whisper. "Why would... When..." Masao takes a moment to compose a thought.

"Asahina-san," he asks more politely, making sure movement toward the house continues. "When did you decide that 'Doji-san' would be traveling with us?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"It's the kind of thing that brings good fortune, you know, spirits that do good things for you. Why wouldn't I? It's not like shugenja are scared of spirits anyway. And it likes me. Like, really a lot, it even gifted me in front of both Hida-no-kimi and the Empress and called me his friend. I don't know spirits, they are weird from all that I remember, but it would like to follow me and I have no reason not to want it near."

[Kakita Masao]

"Hmm," Masao grumbles, but decides to let it go for now. There will be time for it later.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"So you are actually letting it happen? I thought I would need to discuss more. You are really changing."